Subdistrict administrative organization's role toward public health and environmental development in Nongkhai province

Abstract

Subdistrict administrative organization's role toward publichealth and environmental development in Nongkhai provinceThis study aimed to study the situation of Subdistrict Adminisrative Organization (S.A.O.) in Nongkhai Province about Public Health and Environmental Development. 6 S.A.O. established in 1995 and 1996 were selected for this study. Data were collected by interviewing every member of S.A.O., every local health Staff, and systematic-sampling villagers. There were 179 member of S.A.O.,21 local health staffs and 1,065 villagers were Interviewed. The study found that all of 6 S.A.O. has no staff whom directly responsed to public Health and Environmental Development. There was no budget spent on public health during fiscal year 1996-1997. Among 179 member of S.A.O., 11.8 percent of them were working as village health volunteer as well. 70.4 percent of them participated in health and environment activities, especially in health information communication. More than half of them (53.1 percent) suggested that Health Centers should under supervision of S.A.O. with the major reason of for case and convenience in co-ordination. However, 27.9 percent has controversy idea giving the readon that S.A.O. is not well prepare in budgeting. Most of them (57.5 percent) think that health and environmental development should be share-responsibility between Health Centers and S.A.O.. 45.0 percent of them suggested that S.A.O. should provide budget to Health Centers in Health and Environmental Development. About half of them suggested that S.A.O. should have staff directly response to health and environmental, and 31.1 percent suggested that it should have health section in S.A.O.. Among 21 local health staffs, 76.2 percent of them know about the role and functions of S.A.O.. However, only 4.8 percent can mention all legally role and functions of S.A.O., but only 42.7 percent know that S.A.O. has play role in Health, especially in environmental management and disease prevention. Most of villagers (66.6 percent) suggested that S.A.O.should play role in health, especially in environment and disease prevention. About one-third (33.5 percent) think that Health Centers should still under supervision of Ministry of Public Health, giving the reason of satisfied performance. The study revealed that S.A.O. was not ready in health and environment management. It should still be responsibility of Health Centers, and S.A.O. provide budget support according to plan. S.A.O. might pay role in health and environmental inplementation if they are more prepared.